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EastEnders star Christopher Timothy reveals secret cancer battle

(REX)
(REX)

EastEnders actor Christopher Timothy has revealed his secret cancer battle.

The actor has opened up about the struggle he’s faced after fighting prostate cancer, saying he didn’t even tell his kids about it.

Speaking to The Express, Timothy, 77, said: ‘I had prostate cancer but I’ve been clear for five years.’

The diagnosis came at a particularly difficult time in his life, after his wife had died and his children were feeling vulnerable: ‘There were only one or two people who knew. At the time I discovered that I had prostate cancer, it was not long after my first wife had died, so my children had lost their mum.

‘I felt that to tell them that I had prostate cancer, while I knew that I had it and there was a threat of some sort, I felt that it would be wise not to make things worse for them.’

Timothy, known for his portrayal of Ted Murray in the BBC soap and for his role in All Creatures Great and Small, shared his story about dealing with the disease at such a tough time: ‘The death of their mum was a shock and my eldest daughter said at the funeral, “Please look after yourself, Dad.”

‘I realised then that it was right not to tell them. But I did tell them when I was given the all-clear,’ he said.

(REX)
(REX)

Timothy also clarified that he was concerned for his sons after his personal ordeal: ‘I have four sons. Three of them are biologically mine and they are at significant risk, but not as high as my adopted son who is at an even higher risk,’ he described, taking into account that one in four black men – meaning his adopted son – are at risk of prostate cancer.

And the actor is all for talking about getting checked out, telling of how he encourages his sons to go for a prostate exam: ‘I have now urged them to get tested and they absolutely will. I will nag them about it. I want to give them the gift of knowledge on Father’s Day. Knowledge is power.’

If you need further information on prostate cancer, visit the official site here.

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